Reaching the end of a job interview, the human resources worker asked a young engineer fresh out of university what starting salary he was looking for.

The engineer said: In the neighbourhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.

Well, what would you say to a package of five weeks holiday, 14 days paid personal leave, full medical and dental, a company matching retirement fund for 50 per cent of your salary, and a company car leased every two years say, a red Corvette? the interviewer replied.

The engineer sat up straight and said: Wow! Are you kidding?

And the interviewer replied: Yeah, but you started it.